Ami Clubwear

Inspiring Beauty

Disclaimer: Thank you to NCMA for providing tickets to facilitate this recap by blog contributor, Kiara Ruth @kiararuth

Beautiful gowns and heels adorned the halls of the North Carolina Art Museum for the Ebony Fashion Fair Behind the Seams, Girls in Gowns in the Gallery event. Burst of colors and personal closet picks were the hallmarks of the night. Celebrating Inspiring Beauty 50 years of Ebony Fashion Fair exhibition, the sold-out event featured a lip print analysis by Ariana Lightningstorm who has been featured on Dr. Oz, delicate candy floss provided by Mama’s Sugar Shack and methods for fashion illustration with live demonstration by visual artist Karen Campbell.

During this event you were able to sip and stroll the galleries with your girls dressed in their best gowns. We were able to view the 40 stunning outfits by Christian Dior, Givenchy, Alexander Mcqueen and many more. Designs from the 60’s to the early 2000’s vibrantly worn by the most beautiful mannequins filled the North Carolina Art Museum.

This portrait was drawn by Karen Campbell. She was gracious enough to make me look like a Disney Princess. She is amazing, and her talent is out of this world. Visit her website at www.karencampbellartist.com for illustrations and live demonstrations.

During this event my favorite thing to eat was the blue raspberry cotton candy from Mamas Sugar Shack; It was just the right amount of sweet and the perfect addition for any party.

I went with this off the shoulder rose gown from Swoon, a local boutique in Holly Springs, NC. Here are more photos from this lovely event:

Overall the Behind the Seams, Girls in Gown Night was simply amazing. I am extremely grateful that I attended this event. ~Kiara Ruth

If you missed the Behind the Seams event, check out NC Museum of Art’s photo stream >>>>here. Be sure to follow @SobeSavvy, @NCartmuseum and share your experience on social media using hashtag #NCMAebony.

Here are some upcoming events that I wanted to make sure you had on your radar to go check out. These popular ticketed events sell out quickly, so reserve your spot early! Visit mcartmuseum.org/ebony for more details.

The 12 ensembles from the opening night fashion show event in celebration of the NCMA’s fall exhibition Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair is on display from November 5th thru 17th at Crabtree Valley Mall.

You’re invited to an opening reception to celebrate this pop-up on Saturday, November 11 from noon to 2 pm, where the designers will be floating around to talk and answer questions, as well as representatives from the NCMA.

Shoppers will have the chance to see the ensembles and snap a photo in front of a life-size magazine cover. You’ll be able to get an up-close look at the looks, including the three winners of the evening, in a pop-up fashion show! Whether you missed the opening event or were able to attend, this is a great way to see those fabulous ensembles from North Carolina’s rising designers again.

Located on Lower Level A near H&M, the looks will be on view each day during mall hours (Monday through Saturday, 10am-9pm; Sunday 12pm-7pm). This is a FREE EVENT and open to the public.

There is something for everyone to enjoy and themes to explore while viewing this exhibit. Because I am a mom of a young fashionista, I was happy to see that NCMA had youth/family programming and workshops developed for Inspiring Beauty. On November 4th, my husband and our daughter enjoyed a Daddy-Daughter date at NCMA for Family Fun Saturday: Couture Cloth. Inspired by the colors and patterns found in the clothing on view in Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair, families with children ages 5-11 created their own patterned and printed fabric to make a dynamic work of art! Our little one had so much fun using materials to stamp, write, iron and paint onto her own masterpiece.

In December 9’s workshop, participants will cut, shape, and build a wearable artwork fit for the runway. This family friendly workshop is $5 for Members, $8 Nonmembers and held in the East Building, Education Studios.

Young Artists at Work – Family Fun Saturday at NCMA

SobeSavvy Tip: Let your college student know there is a Free College Night on Friday, November 17, 7-10pm. Admission is free with college ID. No ticket required. This event will pay homage to the five decades of fashion on view in Inspiring Beauty and will feature student work, contemporary dance, and a DJ. Students are encouraged to dress for the runway!

Behind the Seams–Girls in Gowns in the Gallery ~ Special Event

Girls in Gowns in the Gallery at North Carolina Museum of Art exhibition ‘Inspiring Beauty’

Grab your girls and get ready to twirl in your best gowns on Thursday, November 30 at 6:30 pm in the East Building for a special event~ “Behind the Seams–Girls in Gowns in the Gallery”. You’ll have a chance to stroll the galleries, enjoy a cocktail, have your lip print analyzed, tour Inspiring Beauty and much more! . Cocktail and treats included. Event ends at 9pm.

#SobeSavvyGiveaway: Behind the Seams–Girls in Gowns. One lucky winner and her guest will enjoy an ultimate girls night out! Enter SobeSavvy Giveaway>>>HERE. Winner will be chosen randomnly on November 16, 2017. GOOD LUCK!

Be sure to follow @SobeSavvy, @NCartmuseum and share your experience on social media using hashtag #NCMAebony. I am excited to attend the ‘Behind the Seams–Gurls in Gowns in the Gallery’ and will be sure to share some highlights with you. Stay tuned and remember to support the arts!

Leslie Heigh, Founder of SobeSavvy.com at Media Preview for Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair | North Carolina Museum of Art

A few days ago I attended a media preview for a brand new exhibit at North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh,NC and decided to dedicate a “Five for Friday” post sharing with you my 5 Reasons You Should Visit NCMA “Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair” exhibition. The exhibit, which starts October 28, 2017 thru January 21, 2018, is the first Fashion exhibit at NCMA and is making its last stop here in Raleigh. You do not want to miss the opportunity to see an extraordinary level of creativity and innovation that this amazing exhibit shows and participate in the upcoming events. Here’s why:

The HISTORYThe exhibition explores the 50-year history of the Ebony Fashion Fair (1958-2009), an unparelled charity fashion show event that redefined the concepts of beauty, style and empowerment for African Americans. Learn about the dynamic Eunice W. Johnson, who was determined to show fashion is for everyone and revolutionized how Black women are seen in the world of fashion.

The FASHIONSee 40 stunning ensembles by designers such as Pierre Cardin, Vivienne Westwood, Givenchy, Bob Mackie, Patrick Kelly, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior and many more! The fashion selections from the exhibiton are innovative, glamourous, colorful,revealing, bold, sassy, dazzling and powerful works of art. To see the attention to detail up close is a beautiful sight to behold!

The JOURNEYInspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair takes you on a journey thru five decades and explores “..the impact on African American identity, style, and success,” explains Jennifer Dasal, NCMA associate curator of contemporary art and co-curator of the exhibition. The traveling Ebony Fashion Fair grew out of the pages of Ebony magazine, which the exhibition includes archival photographs and memorabilia from both the magazine and fashion show.

Just like the original fashion show that inspired the exhibition, this exhibition has been traveling around the country for the last 5 years. NCMA is the last and final venue, so this is your last chance to see it! Linda Dougherty, the NCMA’s chief curator and curator of contemporary art and exhibition co-curator says, “we hope that by hosting the exhibition, we continue the mission of positive change and community empowerment and encourage our visitors to rethink their own concepts of beauty.”

The FUNTrying on clothes can be fun but especially when it’s haute couture right?! Step into the Virtual Fitting Room, one of the in-gallery experiences, which allows you to have some high fashion fun. I jumped into a ready-to-wear Cocktail Dress designed by Fabrice and was ready to celebrate! Ebony Fashion Fair was a true agent of change and its legacy continues to inspire beauty. That in itself deserves to be appreciated and celebrated by everyone.

SobeSavvy Tip: In November, plan a Friday night group outing to the exhibition and save! Every Friday evening ( 11/3,11/10, 11/17, 11/24) Buy three tickets and get a fourth ticket free!

I hope you are inspired to go see this fabulous exhibit because I plan to tell everyone I know to go! Be sure to follow @SobeSavvy, @NCartmuseum and share your experience on social media using hashtag #NCMAebony. I am excited to attend Opening Night festivities tomorrow and will share some Fashion Show highlights with you. Stay tuned and remember to support the arts!